In the first chapter of its corporate history, DC Aviation starts as 100% subsidiary of a leading automobile manufacturer: founded in 1998, the company started flight operations in mid-1999. Initially, two Lear jets 60 and two Challenger 604 provided mobility for corporate management. Starting January of 2000, an additional Airbus A 319 provided a reliable connection between the two corporate headquarters: for seven years, DC Aviation performed shuttle flights between Stuttgart and Pontiac/Detroit – five times a week.
In January of 2007 the holding company Aton GmbH, owned by the entrepreneur Lutz Helmig, buys DC Aviation. In May of the same year DC Aviation receives its current name after a merger with Cirrus Aviation, a private flight-services company operating out of Saarbrucken.
From Daimler to Al-Futtaim Group
In 2011, DC Aviation takes another important step to enhance its international presence by entering into a joint venture with the Al-Futtaim Group at the Dubai airport. In 2016, DC Aviation tops off its broad service range with a license for the commercial operation of helicopters. Today, the Company operates 27 aircraft and two helicopters, with headquarters at Stuttgart airport and local representations in Dubai, Malta, Moscow, and Paris, employing approximately 330 people.
With services ranging from aircraft management via business jet charter, maintenance of business jets and aircraft handling to consulting concerning strategic issues and aviation law and regulations, today DC Aviation offers a complete portfolio – even for the most demanding aircraft owner. Michael Kuhn, the Company’s CEO, summarizes the company’s market position: “With our comprehensive one-stop service we are truly unique in Germany and we are excellently positioned for future international competition through our local representations. As one of the leading providers, DC Aviation understands the wants, needs, and desires of internationally acting business customers.”
In one of the industry-wide largest hangars, the company performs its own maintenance on all aircraft models ranging from Airbus A319 CJ via the Gulfstream G650 to the Cessna Citation XLS+. On 5.000 m², over 80 highly qualified technicians are available for all base and line maintenance services. With its EASA Part-145-certified maintenance operation, DC Aviation offers its own customers maximum reliability and discretion. Meanwhile, this service portfolio evolved into a business field of its own: DC Aviation’s convincing maintenance services are now used increasingly by external customers, as well.
EBAA Diamond Award of Merit
It is partly due to its high safety requirements that DC Aviation can show a spotless safety balance over the entire 20 years of its existence. Last year, the Company was awarded the “EBAA Diamond Award of Merit” by the European Business Aviation Association for over 100,000 hours of safe flight operation – an award received by only very few business jet operators so far. A few weeks ago, DC Aviation also received certification according to the International Standard for Business Aircraft Operations (IS-BAO). Michael Kuhn understands this as a clear confirmation of the German market leader’s professionalism and commitment to quality: “We are very proud of this milestone. It emphasizes our company’s high safety awareness and the superb competence of our entire team.”
